Tag Archives: toy reviews

The Best Toys To Get Your Child Away From a Screen

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fishing game, wooden, toyCatch A Bug Wooden Fishing Game, £25 from Kikkerland – Magnetic fishing game with 2 rods and 11 pieces

This is one of my children’s favourite games. It had them entertained for hours. Can’t recommend it enough. 

Stack & Mix Wooden Building Blocks, £25 from Kikkerland – Stack, mix and build your own cool funny characters. The combinations are endless.

Children love to build blocks and these are bright, fun and excellent quality. 

Geomag Glow Eco Recycled 25 Piece Magnetic Building Set. You can’t beat Geomag for fun, extra excitement because it glows in the dark.

The Geomag Classic 100% Recycled line dedicated to everyone who wants to play with an explosion of colors delights even the most demanding of creative spirits. With Glow you can watch as your Geomag models light up in the dark thanks to the GLOW effect. What’s more, the practical storage boxes to keep the rods and spheres in neatly, as well as always with you, are also made of recycled plastic. The Glow 25-piece set includes 12 spheres, 12 magnetic rods and 1 plastic base.

A Water Pistol is a classic. My oldest child said playing with water pistols is ‘more fun than Nintendo.’ High praise indeed. 


A Bubble Gun. You can’t go wrong with one. It gives hours of fun to children. 

Pre-school educational games to boost months of lost learning.

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This year has been a tough year for our children’s education. Thankfully help is at hand, here is toysandbears.com’s pick of the best pre-school educational games.

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My First Words Game £12.99 Self-correcting puzzles allow children to learn as they play. Encourages reading and learning letters, logical thinking, fine motor skills and independence

Numbers and Sums £12.99 Learn to count with the animals of the Savannah. Helps with numbers, early maths, logic, shapes, colours, fine motor skills and independent play

Writing School £19.99 Help pre-schoolers learn to read, write and draw with this progressive learning program of 16 worksheets to develop hand-eye coordination and improve manual dexterity

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Montessori My First Desk £29.99 Fun, colourful desk packed full of Montessori method activities. Stimulates sensory development, reading, writing and independence

Funny Labyrinths £14.99 Practise pre-writing skills. Improve fine motor skills, develop hand-eye coordination, and help children to prepare for writing.

Educational Games Collection – Pirates £17.99 3D pirate ship game. Four brightly coloured educational games in one. Improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, curiosity and observation skills

Also available in “Farm” with a 3D farmhouse scene

Carotina Baby Memory Game – Animals £5.99 Self-correcting memory game made from thick cardboard tiles.

Carotina Baby 9 Progressive Puzzle Puppies £8.99, 9 self-correcting animal puzzles.

Carotina Baby Plus My First Feelings, £7.99 Puzzle to match feelings to the scenes, teach children to acknowledge feelings

 

 

Frost Loves: Dantoy “I’m Green” Line of Bioplastic Products & Toys

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I am always on the lookout for environmentally-friendly products. Sustainable living is important to me, and important to all of us at Frost. Dantoy ticks all of our boxes with these gorgeous and well made products. Their is a pretend play dinner set and an equally gorgeous Bio-Toy Bucket and Spade 4 piece set.

From the moment my children saw this 22-piece, pretend play dinner set their eyes light up and they have played with it non-stop since. It is excellent to get my toddler daughter to try different foods too. It can be used for garden picnics. Ideal for playing it is safe, durable and toxin free. It encourages social skills, interaction and helps children to learn whilst having fun.

The bucket and spade 4 piece set has been played with non-stop, especially as the weather is so good. The toys are stylish, green and high quality. I cannot recommend them enough. 

Dantoy have launched a brand-new “I’m Green” line of bioplastic products, their bioplastic is made of at least 90% sugarcane, a sustainable raw material, and their bioplastic is 100% recyclable.

Dantoy leads the way with their bioplastics. The manufacture of bioplastics reduces carbon emissions. The sugarcane is cultivated on controlled, pesticide-free plantations in central and southern Brazil. The sugarcane is harvested every 6 – 12 months. Bioplastic made of sugarcane is a 100% sustainable raw material.

Traditional plastic is made from crude oil, whilst dantoy “I’m Green” PE (bioplastic) is made from at least 90% sugarcane (ethanol). Ethanol, a form of alcohol, is extracted from sugarcane, after which it is used to make bioplastic.

The sugarcane used for dantoy bioplastics grows in plantations in the southern and central regions of Brazil, more than 2,500 km from the Amazon region. The enlargement of areas for cultivating sugarcane is managed by “Sugarcane Agroecological Zoning”, formed by Brazil’s federal government. The harvested sugarcane is conveyed by train for further processing, which is more eco-friendly than being transported by lorries.

Sugarcane can be harvested several times a year. New sugarcane plants are planted every five to seven years. The fields are harvested every six to twelve months enabling them to be classified as a sustainable raw material. Sugarcane absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, thereby minimising the greenhouse effect. For the manufacture of bioplastic, the carbon emissions accounts are positive from the budding of the plant until it is manufactured into bioplastic. For each kilo of manufactured bioplastic, 3.09 kg of carbon dioxide are removed from the atmosphere.

Dantoy’s packaging is all made from recycled cardboard. Their toys are made to last and are approved for contact with foods, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, frost-proof and contains no toxins.

Dantoy’s range of bio toys includes the popular 22-piece, pretend play dinner set which can be used for garden picnics. Ideal for playing it is safe, durable and toxin free. It encourages social skills, interaction and helps children to learn whilst having fun.

Dantoy believe that people should buy less, buy well. That is why their toys are only made with sustainable products.  We can all be eco-friendly and by choosing brands who care will make a little difference.

The Dantoy Bio-Toy Pretend Play Dinner Set 22-Piece set costs £18.73 from Amazon.

Dantoy’s range of bio toys includes the bucket and spade set, pretend play dinner set which can be used for sandpits, the beach or mudk itchens. Ideal for playing it is safe, durable and toxin free. It encourages social skills, interaction and helps children to learn whilst having fun.

bucket and spade, bioplastic toys, green toys,

 

The Dantoy Bio-Toy Bucket and Spade 4 piece playset costs £28.99 from Amazon

Ideas for Keeping Kids Learning Through Play at Home

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It is fair to say that keeping little ones entertained can be a tough job. The best of both worlds is when you can entertain them while they learn. So we have two fantastic recommendations for you.

cuddle bug, learning toys, toy reviews, VTech Musical Cuddle Bug | 6 – 36 months | £21.99

As learning toys go the Cuddle Bug has a lot going for it. It is cute and fun and it can teach children everything from colours to songs. This was a huge hit with my little ones and I cannot recommend it enough.

This soft, friendly and cuddly fabric bug features many colours and patterns to stimulate the curiosity of your little one! Including 15 melodies and 3 sing-along songs, this cutie will have fun with your baby in day mode and soothe them in night mode. The 8 soft buttons on the bug’s feet teach Do-Re-Mis, colours and shapes, and the colour changing star button plays fun phrases, sounds and music.

The Cuddle Bug is available here.

toy toaster, play food, learning toys, great ideas for kids,

LeapFrog Yum – 2 – 3 Toaster | 12+ months | £17.99

The Leapfrog Yum Toaster is great for pretend play. The toaster pops up the toast and it also sings and helps children learn their colours and count. This was another hit with my little ones. It is perfect to spark childrens imagination. I love that it comes with plates, cutlery and food. I find toy food is great for helping children eat.

This friendly toaster will help your little one cook up and serve a delicious breakfast. There’s nine different foods and utensils to choose from, so your little one can make egg and bacon sandwiches, or some tasty toast with jam. Popping the toast up and down introduces opposites while the dial lets kids choose how toasted they’d like their bread. The buttons encourage learning numbers, colours and foods.

The Leapfrog Yum Toaster is available here.

 

 

The Hape Robot Factory Domino Set Review

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My children loved this interactive domino set. It is unique and gives hours of fun. Smart and original, it builds lots of different skills.  We highly recommend it. A brilliant toy. 

 

Sure to be a big hit amongst both parent and child, take the domino phenomenon that one step further with this thrilling Domino Robot Factory from Hape, suitable for 4 Years +. Jam packed with a series of additional fun and interactive elements including; tipper car, crazy ball track, tipper arm and ramps help form an exciting robot themed production line to add plenty of drama and spectacle.

With the Robot Factory Domino Set use stored energy to catapult the wooden ball into the air, motor along the double sided track before momentum travels through the spinning arm. With the end in sight watch as the finishing flag begins to fly, that’s just one suggestion of ways to play. With no instructions or rule book to follow the build is in your hands, with each creation is sure to result in a different outcome.

 

Surprise awaits round every corner with this fantastic Domino set. As momentum builds through the course helps to introduce children to the concept of potential energy, momentum and gravity, as well as understanding the principles of (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics learning.

 

Beautifully crafted from the highest quality natural materials Hape are proud to use only water based paints, tested rigorously to ensure that customers get the best value for money and quality in their toys. So what better example than Hape’s very own Domino set.

The Robot Factory Domino Set is available to buy online for £49.95 from Wicked Uncle.

 

Hape The Rainbow Route Railway and Station Set Review

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So the every spoiled Frost toddler has yet again had his eyes light up. A train fanatic at the best of times, he spends hours building his train sets and playing with his trains. So this Hape The Rainbow Route Railway and Station Set was sure to be a hit, and, boy, was it so. It is the ultimate train set. There is a little of everything to keep the toddler entertained for hours while you have a G&T, sorry, I mean, get on with work or chores. There is a musical element in the shape of a xylophone and tambourine track, as well as some puzzle tracks. The track is bright and fun with plenty to educate as well as entertain. We cannot say just how much we love this train set for little ones. It is the perfect gift for any special occasion. Frost loves, and so does the Frost toddler. 

Hape inject a pop of bright colors with added fun and entertainment, transforming your traditional train sets into something like never before with The Rainbow Route Railway and Station Set. Perfectly suited to your toddler’s attention span around every corner excitement awaits as children aboard a journey fuelled with music and color!

With The Rainbow Route Railway and Station Set little ones have everything they could ever need, perfect for all those budding railway enthusiasts. Creating music to your ears, this set includes a number of musically interactive elements. Find your way through the bead maze then journey onwards taking the bumpy road across the tambourine track, but beware it isn’t just all fun and games as a problem solving puzzle await, sort the different shapes to venture safely back.

But what’s missing? Every railway set needs a station, and how about decoration? Why not add some beautiful trees to your railroad? With this 30 piece set nothing has been missed to create the ultimate experience.

Creating an opportunity for little ones to work in perfect harmony, this set encourages interaction between peers, ideal for entertaining the kids this summer and getting some peace and quiet.  There is no mistaking the fact that this track is sure to head to the top of the toy box.

As a treat for both the eyes and ears with the sights and sounds track, Hape‘s railway collection can grow along with your little ones as you add additional tracks and elements to suit the development of your child, sparking imagination and creativity in the youngest of railway fans.

The Rainbow Route Railway & Station Set is suitable for ages 18M + and is available to buy online from Amazon.

Designed first and foremost for the child, Hape make only the best for your little ones. Using only natural materials and water based paints while exceeding quality and safety standards, make an investment that matters to encouraging endless fun and laughter.

Shake and Match Shape Sorter from Hape Review

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Frost loves this colourful and fun shape sorter. Children will learn shapes as well as colours as they have fun. The shape sorter is wooden and well made. The shapes also double as rattles which give a great sound. The design is brilliant without any fuss. Unlike other shape sorters we have reviewed it is also tough and sturdy. So it will not just break after a few uses. A wonderful toy. Frost recommends.

The Shake and Match Shape Sorter from Hape is not just your average shape sorter. Inspiring building in a whole new, way each block has its very own unique sound. Doubling as a rattle, allow your little one to create their own distinct sound as they sort the shapes or just shake a block and ask your child to imitate the sounds you made with his or her own block. It’s the perfect way to allow the relationship between parent and child to blossom.

Each side of the wooden hexagon has fun to be had, watch them overcome the challenge of finding the correct slot to complete the sorter. Discovering new sounds, shapes and colours along the way with this multifunctional toy.

Thoughtfully designed to the highest of safety and quality standards, parents have peace of mind that they can trust in Hape. With a commitment to sustainability, Hape use only eco-friendly materials and water based paints to produce their much-loved and well respected toys.

The Hape Shake and Match Shape Sorter is available at Debenhams.com for £12.00 and is guaranteed to provide your little one with plenty of fun whilst developing a variety of vital skills needed for the years ahead, from hand-eye co-ordination, dexterity & shape and colour recognition.

The beautiful wooden design and enchanting pattern we’re so used to seeing from Hape is once again carried throughout the Shake and Match Shape Sorter good for both the child and the environment, Hape set themselves apart from others by the sturdy construction making it perfect for the rough and tumble of child’s play. While the use of bright bold colours are ideal for developing any little one’s shape and colour recognition, also helping hand-eye co-ordination and dexterity, whilst bringing joy to any young one 12M +.

 

Pepe, The Sound Stacker Puppy From Hape – How Cute by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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 When I was asked to review this sweet wooden stacker toy, by Hape, I knew I needed help. So I called in the resident toy expert, Henry.

At fifteen months old, Henry has approximately fourteen months experience of testing toys to destruction, so I was confident in his assessment.

With true professionalism, he started with Pepe’s Overall Appearance. His smile and the way he dashed over to Pepe and pulled off his head awarded the toy a good score on the Appeal Scale.

Next – Functionality Test. Henry removed each of the brightly coloured rings of Pepe’s body from the central stick. He then tested whether the rings could be replaced – both in the correct order and in random order – they could. Henry then discovered that you could remove all the rings, turn the central stick upside down and push the stick into the rings as they lay on the floor. This gave him surprising pleasure. Thus Pepe passed the Versatility and Capacity for Non-standard Usage tests with flying colours.

Next, rings once more in place, I demonstrated to Henry that if Pepe’s head were pushed down, he made a cute barking noise. At this point Henry collapsed into laughter – yes Pepe passed the Amusing Surprise Feature test too.

Finally – the Destruction Test. With typical conscientiousness, Henry took each part of Pepe in turn and threw it with all his force on the floor, which made a pleasing noise, but there was no damage to Pepe, or the floor.

So, all in all, this is a very appealing toy. It encourages colour identification and balance skills, while developing play skills. Most important – Henry really liked it.

The Pepe Sound Stacker from Hape is just one of a whole new range of fun-loving characters in the exciting world of PEPE & Friends. Other toys in the range include an Activity Cube, a Musical Push Along, a Friendship Tower and Puzzle Blocks. Using a range of natural materials and only water-based paints, and avoiding harsh glues and plastics, Hape are the largest producers of wooden toys.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk